Starting to Sell!

I'm finally doing it! After a lot of research and some gentle encouragement from my sweet husband (and other family and friends), I'm starting to sell the sock animals I make. Besides the ones you've seen, I'm working on making a few other animals, like Giraffes, Frogs, and maybe a Bunny! If you have any requests, I'll see what I can do!

Let me be honest with you all. When I first started this blog, I had grand dreams of becoming an awesome clothing pattern maker. I would make up my own kid's clothes patterns that would be so amazing, everyone would buy them and make me rich!

And then I realized that I'm not all that great at making up new clothes designs... and I have no idea how to make great clothing patterns... so that's going to take me a few years to figure out, if I ever do figure it out.

But while sewing and creating for this blog, I've found a different talent I wasn't aware I had. And that's making toys!! I love making stuffed animals for my kids! However, there is a massive pile of stuffed animals in my house already. So rather than stop doing something that makes me happy, I'm going to start selling them so that they can find love in another child's arms. So please, check out my shop with the new sock animals for sale. They are all one of a kind, handmade by me. And they are all soft and lovable.

 My Pretty sure seems to like them all. She has hugged every single one.

Taking a Risk.

For some time now I have hoped to be as awesome as some of my favorite craft blogs and create and sell my own patterns. While I'm still working on my skills at making clothing patterns, I have discovered that I have a talent for making toy patterns. I know that it's unbecoming to compliment ones self, but I also know that it is a great thing to have confidence. And isn't that what this blog is all about? Giving confidence to try new things, at the risk of failure?

So, I've done it. Decided to take the plunge and start my own shop! Introducing:

I struggled with the name. I didn't like the long sound of "Craft with Confidence Shop". So after ruling out "The Smiling Shrub" (based on translations of the last name), and Jake's suggestion of "The Bookworm" (wa?), Jake asked me what "Vivian" meant. "Vivian" means "lively". Done and done.

It's not much to look at right now, with there only being one item for sell... but that brings me to my second announcement. Introducing:

I have made a PDF pattern. At the beginning of the day, I didn't know how to create a PDF file. After downloading several programs, bugging my BIL about it, and getting a bit frustrated, I finally figured out I could do it directly from my Word program. DOH!

I have to say, it's pretty awesome. Tons of pictures, same detailed step by step you are used to from my tutorials, easy to follow. Plus, I decided that I would include a Limited Production Licence with the pattern. You can make and sell up to 10 with the purchase of the pattern. If you want to sell more, we need to talk and do another agreement (and I need to figure out what to do. . . because I still have no idea what I'm doing here!!)

Eventually I will make sock items to sell, and more patterns. Slowly, slowly.

There you go. I'm diving in, just hoping and praying that I don't fail. I would love any feedback you might have on my shop, like what items you would like to see or . . . I don't know anything you have to say!

CONFIDENCE!!

(woah, that totally makes me think of Mad Eye in Harry Potter, "CONSTANT VIGILANCE!" and yes, I am a nerd)